Thimble printing machine



Feb. 20, 1945.

M. E. TROLLEN THIMBLE PRINTING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 gawufloc MFIRTIN E. TRDLLBN Gamma;

-2 1945- M. E. TROLL EN 2,369,871

THIMBLE PRINTING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 arvuo-nto'n MHRTIN El. TRDLLEN THIMBLE PRINTING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 iii? Mfi TIN E TRULLEN atto mma Feb. 20, 1945. TROLLEN THIMBLE PRINTING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 MHRTIN E. TRDLLEN Feb. 20, 1945. M E TROLLEN 2,369,871

THIMBLE PRINTING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1940 7 Sheets-Shet 5 MHRTIN E1 TRULLEN Feb 1945- M. E. TROLLEN 2,369,71

THIMBI JE PRINTING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 git 0W MFIRTIN El. TRDLLEN Feb. 20, 1945.

M. E. TROLLEN THIMBLE PRINTING MACHINE 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed July 15 Patented Feb. 20, 1945 2,369,871 4 THIMBLE PRINTING MACHINE Mai-es E. .Trollen, St. Paul, Minn.,= assignor to Brown '& Bigelow, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application July 15,1940, Serial No. 345,492

' c Claims. (01. 91-16) My invention relates to a thimble printing machine, wherein it is desired to provide a means 3 of printing any desired indiciauponthe body of r a thimble or the like and-to cover this printing with a coating of protective material such as lacquer.

It has been common practiceto'formthimbles of metal by a stamping 'orspinning process and I I to stamp or otherwise impress into thebody of these thimbles the name of an advertiser or the like. With the production of"p1astic vthimbles, however, it became necessary to print the advertisement or the like onto the body of the plastic,

as thimbles formed of this material were not as receptive to the stamping process 'previously used as were metal thimbles. Printing a name upon the thimble also presented some'problems as it was found that the printing would not readily adhere to the surface of the plastic, and therefore it became necessary to coat the printed surface,

with a colorless lacquer or the like toprotect the printing thereupon. Such a. construction has been found extremely desirable as the'plastic thimbles may be formed ata low cost and as the. advertisement or name appearing on the thimble may be more'readily changed thanwiththe old" stamping process. TheCQst of the dies for the thimbles prevented any name from being placed directly in the mold, as a newer different mold or portion thereof would be required for every advertiser.

It is the object. of the present invention to provide a thimbleprinting machine'which is'ca pable of supporting a series ofthimbles and which will print automatically upon the surface s of the thimble the name of an advertiser or any suitable indicia. The printing means is placed upon an angle so that the printing will be properly applied to the tapered bodyof the thimble.

It is a further feature of my invention to provide. a means for automatically knurlingthe lower edge of the thimble. As the gateof the mold is ordinarily attached to the lower peripheral bead of the thimble, this knurling operation acts tosmooth down any irregularities in the bead.

at the point of severance thimble. 7

It is a further feature of my invention to'provide a means for applying a coating of lacquer of the gate from the otherwise injured, the lacquer over the printing prevents disfiguration thereof and acts to main lacquer sets, to prevent a thickened areaof lac-- quer at any one point of the thimble.

tain the printing intact throughout a considerable period of time. I

It is a feature of my invention to provide a means of mounting a series ofthimbles on aretating element, and to place the various printing, lacquering, and knurling means in angular spaced relation about the periphery of this ro tatable support. A series of tnimbles are mount ed upon the support during the rotation thereof, I

and the rotation proceeds in steps, the support remaining stationary for a sufiicient' time between steps to perm t the printing, knurling, and

lacque'rin'g operations to take place. The 'print ing step is iirst acomplished and the knurling a step takes place intermediate the pr nting step and'the lacquering operation to provide sulncient time for the printing ink to dry beI'ore the lacquering operation is initiated.

It is a iurther. feature of my vide means or automatically stripping the thimbles from the rotatable support and todeposit the same upon' 'a carrier which will convey the thimbles to' a suitable container. The stripping means is located angularly spaced with relation.

to the lacquering means so that the lacquer will dry sufficiently during the interim to prevent the.

lacquer from being injuredas thejthimbles drop upon the carrying means. 7 The'lacquer is applied adjacent the circumferential. bead of the "thimble, and the strip of lacquer is sufiiciently narrow so that as the thimbles drop upon the carrier; the lacquer does not strike the carrier but is supported in spaced relation thereto by the-bead and smaller end of the thimble.

It is a further feature of myv invention to provide a means of rotating the thimblesupports between the lacquer operation and the stripping ofv the thimbles from the rotatable support. This rotating means tends to movethe thimbles as the AS the thimbles are supported with their axes horizon- .over the printing surface so that the surface of the printing will be protected. While the printv ing on the thimble body maybe wiped oil or tal, without some means of rotating thethimble supports, a thickened 'lin'e of lacquer might be formed on one side of the thimble,

It is a further feature of my invention to provide a heating means adjacent the carrier to thoroughly dry the lacquer on the thimbles before the same are deposited-in their container .or receptacle. This insures the drying of the lacquer suificiently 'to-prevent marring the ap-. pearance of the thim'ble due to contact between various thimbles in the container.

5'5 7 I These and otherobjects and novel features 01f invention to pro through the machine, the position of -theisectione being indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional View through theama chine, the position of the sectionbeingindicated' by the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an end vie-w of the smachinezilocke ing at the same from the right end as viewed in Figure 1.

Figure 6 I iseaediagrammatic...perspective .view of certain of the operating mechanismaof.my,ma;-.--

chine.-

Figure)? -isI.-a.-perspective. .detail. of .a.=cam and means operated, thereby.-

FigureB isa sectionalview, the positionof fthe.

section heing indicated by, the ,line 8-8 of Fig-. ure. 1.. Figure 91 s. aperspeotive .detail. of the adjustmentarrangement. for .thelacquer. wheel.

Figure 1015 aside elevation View of. the lacquering ,wheeljTandQadjiistIfieht .th'erefor.

Figure 11 is a..diagrammatic.view of the lacquer my invention will be more fully and clearly set A ratchet gear .best illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings is also mounted on the shaft 23. The ratchet gear 25 is rotated by the ratchet dog 26 pivotally mounted at 21 on the bell crank 29. The bell crank lever 29 is pivotally mounted upon the shaft 23 and is free to rotate with respect thereto. An eccentric 3D is mounted upon the drive shaft .16 to .vrotateitherewitlr; This .eccentrio" 30"is' pivota1l$ "secured"at"3 I to a link 32, the other end of which is pivotally secured at 33 to the bell crank lever 29. Upon rotation of the drive: shaft-161w th motor or operating means, the bell crank lever 29 will be reciprocated 'th-rouglionecycle of movement for each rotation ofthe'shaft 16;? thereby advancing the shaft 23 Y movement of the shaft 23 and support 24 is intermittentand in. atconstant movement.

. The,periphery.,of-tthesrotary; support 24 is providedtwith...a series v-of='notches..34.-. A lever 35 best illustrated in Figure 4 of: the drawings is pivoted. at 36 to..a fixedflbracket 31 ;stationary With respect to the frame 20'; The lever 35-is equippeclswith. a... centering... devic 39. secured thereto, designed =to..engage in any. of the notches 34;. Ai'spring 40J5connects"the..free Iendof the lever.35withianruprightibracket 4I- on the frametankfdisclos'ing the manner of removafthereof fromf themachin'e;

Figure. 12i's'a view of the. inking mechanism for the printingdevice,theview beingtak'en at an angle with the horizontal, lookingdi'r'ectly at."

the mechanism.

Figure 1'3'is an e'nd'viewof .the inking imechanism.,i1'1ustiatd 'Jirl Figure 12:

Figure l ris'a detailview of "the ratch'etarrangernentior.operating ja porti'dn'of the inking mechanism.

Figure 15" is a sectional" view through the ratchetdevice illiistrated'inFlgure I4."

Figure 16=is "a *sectronahdetail' "of the "reciprocati'ng' mechanismfior 'the' ink"'distributingmollert" Figure l'l is a detail view' of a"longitudina1ly reeipr-ocableink'spreading "roller;

Figure 18 is a sectional -view"througwthe roller illustrated-in Figure l7b Figure 19 =is 'a side elevation view of a thimble' printed upon my -machiner" Figure 20 is a detail *view of a spin die rotating means for:rotating thespindles atterthe lacquer ingnperationu.

M tsthimblecprintingaands.lacquering machine A may be driven-.bymny suitable 'means-asuch-as an;electric.zmotor or: the like which will-drive- -bytheabeltwl Ilewhichrencin'oles the pulley I I on -the Theushaftr. I 2; extends rintor. the-- gearcasing-11 3 I-andzaotuateswsuitablei reduction gears of any conventional .1 type .:not .illustratedcin; the; These-gears soperate;thegdriveeshaftzi I4 which is connectedithroughiiatfiexible connecashaft: I 2;.

drawings tion. I5 to thedrive shaft I 6.1.

20,1andjthe' tension of thespring. 40 maybe ads justedibyv an adjiistirigb'olt 42 .secured. .to one end. of thespringAIl. A- cam-roller. 43.on the lever 35Te'nga es .apam 44fonthe drivesh'aft I6... The. cam 44"all'o1ws.. thespringfi 0 Lto pull .the .lever .35

upwardly, so that the centering .d''vice...39 lengages inione of thenotchesfl forapproximately. half ofeach revolutioneof the.sh'aft'.|5, and moves the centering. device 39; out of the notch. .34 lduring -the remaining.;.portion.of thetime.v Thusthe .vdu'ring the remainderof 'the.rotation whilthe The, drive shaft; I 6"; isa mounted. inwsuppprtingj I brackets g I I I and ..I 9:which .are supported upon .;the z base I 29. The.:.:base-.-20 .also supports iaastandard'rg. 2| best illustrateduin Figure 2: of theigdrawings and a standard..22..best..illustrated;inFigure 5 of. the. drawings. These standards. 2|... and .22 sun-.

port a central shaft -lflauponewhich-ztheirotaryr.

support, .24...is mounted. Therrotary; support. 24 is secured to the shaft 23 for rotation therewith.

shaft"'23"is' 'beingjrotatedby. the .ratc'het dog 26."

As] bestillustrated'in' Figures 1 and '2' of "the drawings, a? bevel gear. 45is.p,ositi'onedonthe drive sh'aftfl 6, which' is in mesh With...a TCOOPCI'P ating'bevel gear '46 on a diagonally. extending shaft'fl." Tlieshaft 41 is su'pported'by spaced bearings .49 and.50. The bearings 49 and-59 are secured*to: an uprigh s porting; s an ard 5! arrangediin parallel relation to'the standard 22; The-shaft" 4T is operable 7 to drive 1th'ree parallel sh'aft's"52, 53, and 54.? A bevel gearf55ion the shaft41engages-a'bevergear"56on the shaft 52. A second bevel ge'ar ".i-I" orr the :shaft :41 engages a oooperating'bevelgear 59on'the shaft-53. Thus" .both -of these-shafts" 5-2 and 53f'are"rotatedby' the drive --sh'af-t I 6? A spiralige'arlio "OITIthB shaft 41 engages-'a' cooperating: spiral f gear 61 -on""a"trans-' versely extending sha-f t 62 and**-a secon d pair of spirala-gears-B 3 "and fil "cooperate to -'drive the shaft 5451.. The spiral' gear 64- is=mounted*on the shaft" 54a- Each.of 'the'- shafts' :52, 53, and54-extend through the-upright support-' 51 and' are journailed therein. These shafts extend in parallel" relaticnship an'd are each provided with" a toothed clutchz elementh which is--- designedto engage a similari: clutchrelmentv on"; rotary-spindles sup I porteda by; that-rotary: 'supportzfli one: oftheclutch; elements 565 onrthezshaiti 2:52-Jiis: illustrated tical and are equipped with a clutch slot 66 by aaeas means ofwhichthe position of the clutch heads 65may .be-adjusted. A spring 61 urg-es each or th clutch heads 65 into eng'agement with .aspindie on the rotary support 24'. 7

The rotary support 24 i fitted witha series of spindles such as69 illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. The spindle 69 is equippedrwith a clutch head 10 designed to-cooperate with the clutch heads 65,"and atapered end II designed to support a thimble with its axis horizontal.

The spindle 69 is mounted in bearing to rotate freely and is rotated bythe clutch heads 65 when these spindles are'moved into cooperating position axially aligned with the shafts 52, 53 and 54. Supported by spaced'journalsn and 13 on the uprightsupport 1 provide a rock shaft 14.

This rock shaftis best illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings and is provided with ,a cam arm .15 bearinga cam roller engageable with a cam 11.-

The cam 11 acts to ro'ck'the shaft 14 through a predetermined angulartmove'ment. 'Mou'nted for rotation with theshaft .14, I provide a pair of yokes 19 and 80-which are'provided with pivoted pins or blocks 8| engageable, in the clutch groove 66 of the clutch'head's .65. The cam)" is designed to reciprocate the clutch heads. 65 into engage ment with their cooperating clutch heads on shafts 89,' 90, and 9| are each equipped with a grooved collar 94. :These grooved collars 94 are. for the purpose of enabling theshafts 89, 90, and

9I to be reciprocated longitudinally in unison with the reciprocation of the shafts 52, 53, and 54 in. I order to hold the thimbles in place upon their respective spindles during the printing, knurlings.

and lacquering operations. 4 7

A cam 95is mounted upon the drive .shaft I6 and i -engageable with the cam roller 96 on a rocker arm 91 secured on a diagonally extending shaft 99.for rotation therewith. The shaft 99 is supported by spaced bearings I00 and IM mount- M ed'upon the upright standard 22. As'best illus- 89 and 90 in one direction for substantially half the rotation of the shaft I6 and slide'these shafts the remainder of the the spindle 69 during a part of each revolution of the shaft I6, and during the-remainder of the cycle the yokes, 19 onthe shaft 14 tend to withdraw the clutch heads 65 fromengagement with their cooperating heads 10. Thus during a part of each revolution of the shaft I6; certain of the spindles 69 are rotated by theshafts52; 53, and

54'whi1e during the remainder ofthe cycle, the driving power is disengaged therefrom.

- The spindles 69 are equal in number to the teeth of the ratchet cam 25. Thus each time the ratchet'cam is operated to rotate the rotary support 24 through'apredetermined-angular distance, another spindle 69 is brought into axial alignment with each driving shaft 52, 5,3; and 54.

These shafts are so spacedv that when one shaft, is axially aligned with its respective spindle, both of theother shafts are also aligned with others I of the spindles. v r H p The shaft 54 isalso reciprocated by movement of therock shaft 14. Because of the distance between the shaft 54 and the shaft 14 and in order to move each of theflclutch heads an equal longitudinal distance, I provide an arm 82 which is pivotally engaged at 83'to a second rock arm .84

pivoted to the fixed'pivot85. The arm 84is also connected at 86 tothe yoke 81 which engages the clutch head 65 on the shaft 54. This arrangetrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, a pair of yokes I02 and I03 are mounted on the shaft 99 to rock therewith. These shafts are equipped with pivoted slide pins I04 which are engaged in the grooved collars'94 on the shafts 89 and 90. Thus as the cam 95 rotates, the shaft 99 is rockedby.

the arm 91 in a manner to' first slide the shafts in the opposite direction for oycleof the shaft I6.

In order to reciprocate the shaft 9| in unison with the shafts 89 and 90,,1 provide an arm I05 secured on theshaft 99 for reciprocation therewith. Thearm I05 is pivotally and slidably connected at I06 to the arm I01 which is pivoted to l the fixed pivot I09. The yoke IIO-is pivotally secured at I II to the arm I01 and engages the col- 1ar'94on the shaft 9| to reciprocate this shaft 9| in unison with the shafts 89 and 90.

A printing mechanism is provided to print suitable indicia about the body of the thimble I I2 as indicated by the numeral H3, and this indicia is positioned adjacent the bead N4 of the thimble. This mechanism includes a printing wheel 5 bearing the typeto be printed upon the thimble,

and the type wheel II5 rotates at the same surface speed as the thimble body to print the necessary' indicia thereupon. The type wheel H5 is mounted "on a shaft ||6 secured between two spaced bearings H1 and H9 on a bracket I20 bridging the space between the vertical supports 5| and 22 and positioned above the rotary support 24. The shaft 6 is driven by means of a I bevel gear I2I mounted thereupon which meshes with a cooperating bevel gear I22 on the shaft 53. The type wheel 5 is of proper size so that the 1 type will becorrectly imprinted on the thimble ment-is such that theclutch head 65 on the shaft 64 will move longitudinally a distance equal to the movement of the clutch heads on the shafts 52 and 53 simultaneously therewith.

From this arrangement it will be noted that the rotary support$24.isl intermittentlyrotated to move each spindle 69 successively from registrable position. with respect'to each of the shafts 52,

53. and 54 andto move the next adjacent spindle j 69 into registering position. When in registering while the type wheel H5 is in contact with the thimble. p

In order to provide a supply of ink or printing solution to the type wheel I I5, I utilize the inking mechanism illustrated at the top of Figure 1 of the This mechanism includes a pair of drawings. spaced parallel supporting plates I 23 and I24 hav- :ing an ink fountain I25 mounted therebetween.

A-roller I26 extends into the ink fountain I25 and is mounted upon a shaft I30 extendin through a notch in the side plate I23. A ratchet I3| is mounted upon the shaft I30, and this ratchet is operated by a reciprocable arm I32 which isslidalignmentwith the shafts-.52, 53','and- 54 respeotively; Theseshafts are provided with abearing 1 head 92 designed to engage the closed smaller end of a;thimble mountedupon a'spindle- 69. and'th'e;

ably supported on a guide block I33. A cam roller I34 is mounted on the rod I32 and this roller engages a cam I35 which acts to reciprocate the rod,

and thus cause rotation of the roller I26.

The roller I26 spreads ink upon the roller I31, whichro'cks between the roller I26 and the roller I39 on the shaft I40. A pair of brackets arms I4 I are mounted upon the shaft I42, which shaft is 3 be'aringuhead is urged into contact with the thimble by means of suitable springs 93." The the shaft 2I6 is secured a stripping armt2II which is equipped with ia notch 2I9 designed to encircle the spindles 69 adjacent the tapered thimblesupporting-end II thereupon. A spring 220 urges the stripper arm 2I'I in one direction and it is moved in the other direction by the arm gages the surface ofthe cam 225-and acts at intervals occurring once during each rotation of the shaft I5, to slidethestripper arm2I'I1longitudinallyof the base. i I Q In' operation, when the rotatable support 24 comes to restin any of itspredetermin'edpositions, the cam '2l3 operates-the arm 2I5 to pivot the stripper arm'2I;'I in position to encircle the v 1 end of one of the'spindles 69 adjacent the beaded end 114' of the thimble n2. Subsequent to this movement, the c ani. 225 acts to pivot the lever 22I to slide the stripper plate 2|] longitudinally of the spindle to fstrip the thimble from the versely of the same, and is 'corinected'by a gear 229 to a worm gear 230 on the shaft 204; A roller 23I is mounted upon theshaft 221 to support an endless belt 232 whichextends'over an idle roller not illustrated 'at 'alpoint spaced longitudinally I from the frame 20. "The endless'belt 232 extends between side'guides 233 and isdesigned to receive the'thimbles' stripped fromthe spindles, A heating element 234 maybe mounted above the belt 232 toheat, and therefore dry, the lacquer upon the thimblesas theyflpass beneath this heating element on the belt 232.

support is rotated in a counterclockwise directionby the ratchet dog 26 and the support 24 is rotated a step at a time-by'this means. As each spindle moves into registry first with the shafts 53 and 9|, the clutch head 65 on the shaft 53 is moved into engagement with the clutch head III of the spindle 69,, causing rotation of the spindle and the thimble supported thereon. Simultane ously, the bearing'end 92 of the shaft 93 is moved inwardly against the closed end of the thimble to hold the thimble in place. At this moment, the type on the printing wheel II5 contacts the surface of the thimble, and rotating at the same rotative speed asthe thimb'le causes the type to be imprinted upon the thimble. Only a portion of the wheel II5 is equipped with type, as this printing wheel is relatively'large with respect to the thimble, and when the thimble completes one revolution, the type wheel disengages the surface of the thimble. Upon further rotation of the drive shaft IS, the clutch head 65 on the shaft 53 is released from its clutch head III and the thimble. Subsequently the rotative' support is again rotated another step to bring another I thimble into contact with the printing wheel I46.

As the thimble moves into alignment with the '70 shaft 90 is retracted from engagement with the shafts 54 and 90', the clutch head 65 onthe shaft 54 engages the spindle clutch head I0, againcausingzrotation of the spindle. Simultaneously, the cam I13 moves the knurling tool IIll into engagement with the beadof the thimble andknurls this head: When theknurling operation has been completed, the cam I13 permits the knurling tool 'I'II'I to' be moved away fromthe thimble; and the clutch head65 is released from engagement with the "spindle clutch head' I0. simultaneouslyfthe shaft'SI is retracted to move the'bearing portion thereof out of engagement with the head of the thimble. When this action hasbeen completed,

the rotatable support" 24 is pivotedby the ratchet dog 25 into a'new position. j i

After the thimble has been'printed and knurled,

I the subsequentintermittent rotation of the "support 24 carries each thimble into axial alignment with theshafts 52 and 89. The thimble is held in this position by the centering device 39,,' and the clutchhead 651s moved into engagement with thecooperatingclutch head Ill onlthe spindl jil. This causes rotation' of the spindletS. Simul} taneously with the engagement of the clutch heads 52 and Ill, the shaft 89 is moved longitudinally until the .bearingportion' 92 thereof engages the end of, the thimble supported. Thus during rotation of the spindle 69 the bearing head 92 holds the thimble in its proper position. At this point of the rotation, thebody of the thimble is in contact with the lacquer applying wheel I84 which is being constantly rotated by its flexible shaft I85- The rotation of this lacquer wheel appliesv the band ,of lacquer- I85 to the thimble II2 over the printing or other indicia I I3. After the lacquer applying operation has-been completed, the clutch head 55 automatically retracts from ngagement with the cooperating clutch head 10 to, stop rotation of the spindle 69, and the bearing head 92 of theshaft is moved longitudinally to disengage the bearing head-from the thimble.

Further rotation orthefrotatable support 24 moves each spindle'EB successively into proximity with the stripping device 2 I1. The stripping arm 2" isv pivoted inwardly so. that the spindle-59 adjacent the thimble sup-port II extends in the notch 2I9. The stripper arm 2| 1 is then moved longitudinally, stripping the thimble from its support 'II and dropping the thimble onto the endless belt 212 which acts to convey the thimble to a suitable container.

I have found that if any considerable amount of lacquer is applied by the lacquer applying wheel I84, there is some chance of this lacquer running to the lowermost portion of the thimble. In other words, the thimbles are supported with their axes extending horizontally, and after the lacquer has been applied, the means rotating the spindles 69 is disengaged. Thus the spindle remains in one position and creates the likelihood of an excess of lacquer running to the lowermost portion of the thimble and creating a thickened ridge at this point. In order to cause rotation of the thimbles as the rotatable support 24 is moved from one position to another, I provide a shoe 235 equipped with a liner 235 of rubber, leather, or some composite material such as brake lining. This shoe 235 is pivoted at 231 to a link support 239 mounted on a fixed bracket 24!] on the frame 20. A spring MI is interposed between the shoe 235 and the base frame 20 to urge the 3:102:35 against the clutch heads Ill on the spin- .Thusas the rotatahleraupport isxmtatedirom one position to: another; theolntclr heads 10. frictiona-lly engagethe irictionsuriiace Roland act to rotateuthe: spindles; 93147118176121 causing rota-- tion of the thimblesfandpreventing arthickened portion-of lacquer alongione edgeofthethimble. Inaccordance with thezpatent statutes, 1- have described the principles oitconstruction and operation of; mythimble-printingand .lacquering machine; and while have: endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I- desire to have it understoodnthat. these are only illustrative of. a means. of; carrying out invention,

and that obvious changes-may be made within the I scope of the following, without departing from the. spirit or. my. invention.

I.claim:v v A, 1. Athimbleprintingmachme comprising arsevries of rotatable tapered spindles. havingian end thereon designed to support athimble, a mtatablespindle support supportin'gtsaid spindles rotatable through afixedaxiaan angularly disposedprinting wheel unit engaging; a thimble on each of said spindles in one rotative position thereof on said spindle sup ort, and an angularl'y disposedlacquer' applying wheel; unit engaging each said thimblein."v another: rotative position of each spindle adapted to'coverthe printed area of-tne thimble 2. A thin'ible printing machinecomprising a base, a rotary support mounted on said-base, a series of' parallel shortz'tapered spindles rotatably mounted in said rotarysupport atequal distance from the axis thereof, aprinting wheel having a" beveled surface engageable with each thimble in one position oi'rotation of each spindie with 'said' rotary support, a lacquer applying unit means engageable Witheach thimble in another position of each spindle-with said rotary support, to apply lacquer over 'the 'printed area of the. thimbleand means engaging said spindies inasaid positions of printing and lacquering to rotate said spindles.

3; A:thimblelxprintingmachine comprising a base; :azrotary support on said base, a series oi angularlyy spaced tapered ;thimbles supporting spindles on ,said: rotary support;iprintlng means amen-s71 and .lacqueringtmeans inzangularly spaced. relationengag'cable .overthe same area oiv the thim- :hlesr on :said; spindles; and; oscillating 'thimble rippin means-ionstripnin thepthimbles from said: spindles operated by lever and; came means.

*i. A thimble printing machine comprising a base, a rotary supportmounted on said base, a

, series of. angularly sspaced thimble supporting ,taperedspindles .rpivotally mounted. onsaid rotary support, printing means and lacquering means in ang-ularly; spaced relation 'engagea ble over the same area. of the thimbles on said spindies, oscillating thimble. stripping means for removing said. thimbles from. said spindles, and endless thimble conveyingmeans for receiving said stripped. thimblesu and conveying the same from; said rotary support. v

5. A thimble printing machinecomprising a base, arotaryxgsupportmoimted onrsaid base, a series of s ngularly. spaced, thimble supporting spindles :mtatably mounted on .said rotary support, a narrowybandc-like printing meansand narrow film,applyin v means angularly arranged about said rotarysupport. engageable with thimbles. onsaid spindles, oscillatinghthimble stripping. means,.thinrble conveyinzimeans adapted to convey the 1 thimblesi away a from. said, printing means and heating means over said conveyin means to automatically dry saidtthimbles.

6. A thimble machinecomprising a base, a r0- tary. support mounted on said; base, a series of equally angularly spacedifthimble supporting short tapered spindles on saidirotary support, a means intermittently rotating (said rotary support anangular distancehequal' to the angular spacing. of said spindles,v a pairf of angularly spaced spindle rotating means. simultaneously enga'geable with a pair 0! saidspindles during the period between'intermittent mov ments of saidrotaryjsupports to'rotate said pair of spindies, and printing meansmandi film applying means adjacent said pair of spindles engageable simultaneously withthimhles .011 said pair of-sp-indies to' print; and to apply a; film. upon, the respective thimbles orsaid pair. 

